#1 In the begging of chapter 12, the author claims, "the terms Values and ethics are not synonyms." Although they are not exactly the same, I still feel that there shared values that work as ethics. For example, honestly is valuable in American society, so cheating is unethical. In this case, I think the value is directly connected to the rule (ethics). What is the significant difference between value and ethics? How would you explain that values are different from ethics?
#2 In page 356, the author claims that our values and attitudes are primary created by "our family, peer groups, role models, and societal institutions." I understand that parents and other peer groups are very essential to learn what is right and wrong. However, it might be very confusing because each person has very different learning environment. If we simply gain a sense of right and wrong from our environment and people surrounded us, people in a country with diversity like the U.S. have all different ethical codes? What do you think about the role of culture when it comes to development of ethics? Also, how do you think people maintain their sense of right and wrong to be the same when they live in diversity?
#3 In page 364, Woodward and Denton claim, “Defining what is private in the workplace is becoming more difficult and complex.” I agree with the statement that employers are able to check and monitor their employees in many ways. For example, checking work e-mails and their facebook are becoming common. Woodward and Denton claim that there are more ways to monitor employees including monitoring phone calls, routine background checks and obtaining a wide range of personal and medical information. Apparently, we are losing private part of our lives day by day. They claim, “Technological advances have changed the nature of work, communication, and supervisory functions in the workplace.” Do you think our idea of online ethics changes that we would not have as much privacy as we used to? If so, do you think these new technologies change our perception of privacy and make us unethical?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Cafe VIta
Marketing strategies at Café Vita
Café Vita is a café on Pike Street in Capitol Hill. They sell various kinds of coffee drinks and pastries. At Café Vita, I felt that what set their marketing method apart from others is that they differentiate themselves from chain coffee stores such as Starbucks and Seattle’s Best Coffee. First of all, they have a unique logo that represents the store as sort of a brand. Also, the decoration is coordinated to be comfortable and inviting. For example, the light tone is a little bit darker than other stores such as supermarkets and clothing stores in Capitol Hill. This creates a comfortable environment to stay and spend your time in. Also, they roast their coffee beans in the back of the store, so customers (or potential costumers) can smell the scent of coffee as they come in. In addition, they put stickers of awards that they have been nominated for or won on the front door. I think that helps them in developing their credibility as a preferred coffee shop. It is cleaver to put all of them on the door because all potential customers can see it, and I believe it differentiates them from chain coffee stores in that they make a mean cup of Joe.
Café Vita is a café on Pike Street in Capitol Hill. They sell various kinds of coffee drinks and pastries. At Café Vita, I felt that what set their marketing method apart from others is that they differentiate themselves from chain coffee stores such as Starbucks and Seattle’s Best Coffee. First of all, they have a unique logo that represents the store as sort of a brand. Also, the decoration is coordinated to be comfortable and inviting. For example, the light tone is a little bit darker than other stores such as supermarkets and clothing stores in Capitol Hill. This creates a comfortable environment to stay and spend your time in. Also, they roast their coffee beans in the back of the store, so customers (or potential costumers) can smell the scent of coffee as they come in. In addition, they put stickers of awards that they have been nominated for or won on the front door. I think that helps them in developing their credibility as a preferred coffee shop. It is cleaver to put all of them on the door because all potential customers can see it, and I believe it differentiates them from chain coffee stores in that they make a mean cup of Joe.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Answer Chapter 6
Gina, I'm sorry for picking on you again.
Please note that I am not your stalker.
Answer to Gina Kim's Question #1
I think that beliefs in this context are very different from general religious beliefs that may be more concrete. Beliefs in psychology are “informational statements that link specific attributions to an object (133). Although beliefs and attitudes are influenced by values, attitudes and beliefs are relatively easy to ascertain (137).
I think that the religious beliefs in your question are more like strong values from religion. The author claims that values are culturally learned in early childhood (136) that they rarely change, although the importance of these values may change at some point of your life (136). Therefore, “blind faith” may be closer to values than beliefs in this context as the author argues that,” Values are the least likely candidates for change through persuasion” (137).
Knowledge can be the one but not the only factor that may change one’s beliefs. In chapter six, the author states, “Many of our beliefs and values are the result of “unexamined inheritances” We may have adopted a number of attitudes without sufficient information or reflection” (137). Moreover, because many beliefs coexist in people’s minds, I think people can change their beliefs by choosing which beliefs and values they want to put the most weight on. Although the text does not talk a lot about beliefs, there are many theories to change the attitude which underlies our beliefs. I think one factor can be social influence. Like the example in class, although you have a belief that smoking is bad for health, your attitude towards smoking can change by having many smoking friends, and it may eventually influence your beliefs because “attitudes are a combination of beliefs and the weight we assign on them” (134).
Also, the consistency theory argues that “individuals can be made to feel uncomfortable with inconsistency and will work to reduce any discrepancies between new information and their attitudes or behaviors” (143). As we talked in class, there are many kinds of dissonance such as loss of group prestige and economic loss. To reduce the discomfort, people solve the conflict by “altering one or both of the two original attitudes.” I think that simply new information and other factors can change beliefs over time.
Please note that I am not your stalker.
Answer to Gina Kim's Question #1
I think that beliefs in this context are very different from general religious beliefs that may be more concrete. Beliefs in psychology are “informational statements that link specific attributions to an object (133). Although beliefs and attitudes are influenced by values, attitudes and beliefs are relatively easy to ascertain (137).
I think that the religious beliefs in your question are more like strong values from religion. The author claims that values are culturally learned in early childhood (136) that they rarely change, although the importance of these values may change at some point of your life (136). Therefore, “blind faith” may be closer to values than beliefs in this context as the author argues that,” Values are the least likely candidates for change through persuasion” (137).
Knowledge can be the one but not the only factor that may change one’s beliefs. In chapter six, the author states, “Many of our beliefs and values are the result of “unexamined inheritances” We may have adopted a number of attitudes without sufficient information or reflection” (137). Moreover, because many beliefs coexist in people’s minds, I think people can change their beliefs by choosing which beliefs and values they want to put the most weight on. Although the text does not talk a lot about beliefs, there are many theories to change the attitude which underlies our beliefs. I think one factor can be social influence. Like the example in class, although you have a belief that smoking is bad for health, your attitude towards smoking can change by having many smoking friends, and it may eventually influence your beliefs because “attitudes are a combination of beliefs and the weight we assign on them” (134).
Also, the consistency theory argues that “individuals can be made to feel uncomfortable with inconsistency and will work to reduce any discrepancies between new information and their attitudes or behaviors” (143). As we talked in class, there are many kinds of dissonance such as loss of group prestige and economic loss. To reduce the discomfort, people solve the conflict by “altering one or both of the two original attitudes.” I think that simply new information and other factors can change beliefs over time.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Response 1
Response to Gina Kim’s Question
I agree that many of product placements by celebrities are an example of abusive use of their charisma and character. It reminded me of advertorials that I learned in previous class. I think these messages delivered by celebrities are still effective for some people because their charisma and character are very strong, and viewers of public television are more likely to value “likeability, novelty and entertainment” than truly credible sources (Page 117 118) As far as I learned in my ethics class, it may violate the idea of Deontology Ethics that focuses on people’s rationality and human dignity. I think these product placements are meant to manipulate people, and I do not think it should be allowed. However, I think people are still able to make a judgment based on other factors of credibility. For example, Woodward and Denton claim, “…determining credibility is through the use of formal guidelines for judging expertise and reliability” (page110). I think people are able to judge the source objectively. Also, they say. “For many people, high credibility means trustworthiness” (Page 115). I assume that these commercially over used and over exposed celebrities do not have full credibility.
I agree that many of product placements by celebrities are an example of abusive use of their charisma and character. It reminded me of advertorials that I learned in previous class. I think these messages delivered by celebrities are still effective for some people because their charisma and character are very strong, and viewers of public television are more likely to value “likeability, novelty and entertainment” than truly credible sources (Page 117 118) As far as I learned in my ethics class, it may violate the idea of Deontology Ethics that focuses on people’s rationality and human dignity. I think these product placements are meant to manipulate people, and I do not think it should be allowed. However, I think people are still able to make a judgment based on other factors of credibility. For example, Woodward and Denton claim, “…determining credibility is through the use of formal guidelines for judging expertise and reliability” (page110). I think people are able to judge the source objectively. Also, they say. “For many people, high credibility means trustworthiness” (Page 115). I assume that these commercially over used and over exposed celebrities do not have full credibility.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Chapter 13 Questions
Chapter 13
1.
In chapter 13, the author claims that visual images are universal. He claims, “Aural and visual information create an instant shorthand for feelings and moods that print cannot easily match. Images of happiness, anger, or fear are universally recognizable. We learn that what these facial expressions signify in the first year of life, and symbols (smiles, frowns, cringing posture, and so on) soon after. Unlike learning a foreign language or a specialized field of knowledge, we do not need to master special “access codes” to understand many forms of aural and visual information (384).” He also claims that Pinocchio was successful both in Japan and America as an example. I agree that these basic facial expressions are universal. Facial expressions towards some basic feelings such as anger and fear are the same both in Japan and the U.S. However, it is not clear if visual images do not take any knowledge to understand them. For example, it is hard to say that the reason of Pinocchio and other Disney movies’ success may not be simply because of the visual. In what situation do you think visuals are universal and not universal? Do you agree that most people are able to read these symbols and visuals without special knowledge?
2.
In page 403, the author talks about defining key terms. He claims that it is important to explain phrases and concepts that the presenter uses in the main content. However, I do not understand how it flows. Does it mean to explain the terms the presenter uses in his/her presentation? Or, does that mean the presenters are encouraged to explain his/her thesis before the body part starts? These examples in the book also confused me about what the author really means by “Key Terms” because it seems like one example focuses on terms the presenter uses, and the other focuses on explaining the main point. What does that mean to “define key terms”? Also what is the difference between defining key terms and introducing the thesis?
3.
In page 406, the author encourages the speaker not to memorize the entire speech. He also states that reading off the paper is not as effective as talking without a script. (406-407) it is understandable that the speaker is more expressive when he/she does not just read a speech. However, I still think that reading gives more accuracy, and the speaker can provide information about the topic. Is expressiveness more important over accuracy? Is there any special occasion you can think that a scripted presentation is more important than speaking with an outline?
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